Advanced care planning is about planning for the “what ifs” that may occur across a person’s entire lifespan. ACP is about doing what you can now to ensure the health care treatment you receive is consistent with your wishes and preferences, should you be unable to make your own decisions or speak for yourself. Whether someone is healthy today, facing an acute illness, a long-term chronic illness or a terminal illness, advanced care planning helps alleviate unnecessary suffering, improves quality of life and provides a better understanding of the decision-making challenges any individual may face. Everyone, of every age, should be able to live and die in a manner that is best suited to their individual needs and wishes.

Did you know, more than 70% of Americans would prefer to die at home, yet only about 25% of deaths occur at home? At the same time, 90% of Americans recognize the importance of talking with loved ones about their end-of-life care, but fewer than 30% have actually done so. Often this is due to a lack of understanding about a person’s choices and rights, as well as the fear and denial of facing one’s own mortality.

Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley is teaming up with community organizations and business across St. Lawrence County to present Dying To Talk – a series aimed at uncovering the myths surrounding advanced care planning and end-of-life care through conversations focused on facing death and embracing life. Hospice recognizes that life is a terminal diagnosis and everyone should have the opportunity to express their wishes regarding what they want the end of their life to look like. This group-directed discussion will enable participants to discuss topics such as health care options, end-of-life treatments, advanced care planning, funerals, dying and other topics our culture tends to shy away from.

Hospice and its partners invite you help abolish the stigma and join us in a lively conversation about a subject we shouldn’t be so quiet about – death!

Our next event will be Tuesday, March 6th from 5:30-7:30p.m. at Canton-Potsdam Hospital. This event will feature a special look at the funeral planning process and provide participants to have their questions answered by a member of the St. Lawrence County Funeral Director Association. RSVP to Deborah C. Lauther at (315) 261-5413 or dchaselauther@cphospital.org.

Check out our Events Calendar to see upcoming Dying To Talk events in your community.

Our popular Gourmet Brunch fundraiser celebrates the important partnership of Hospice donors and volunteers. Thanks to generous community support, participants enjoy an exceptional four-course meal and dining experience while raising much needed funds to support our important programs. Tastes of Autumn will take place on Sunday, October 15th, 2017 at the River Road Restaurant in the Massena Country Club.

Tastes highlights the special talents of our friends and neighbors. Everyone from the chefs preparing the entrees to the wait staff are volunteering their time and talents to support our important work. In addition to the main entrees, guests can expect to enjoy specialty soup, salad, bread and desserts all provided by local area businesses.

Tickets are available for purchase by contacting the Hospice Center at (315)265-3105.

The 8th Annual Swim A Mile for Hospice was a record-breaking year for participants and organizers. The weather prevailed and 88 Swimmers braved the cold temperatures on August 5th at Postwood Park in Hannawa Falls to complete the one-mile course. With 88 swimmers, this was the best turn out the event has seen to date. Swimmers and donors rallied together to help Hospice reach a major milestone in the lifetime of the event. Their hard work and perseverance paid off as the event raised more than $31,000.00 to support the important services Hospice provides to the community.

The weather in the days leading up to the event had organizers on the edge of their seats. With a large-scale storm wreaking havoc on the beach the night before the Swim, the odds seemed slight the Swim would be able to take place. We were overjoyed to awake the morning of the event to find clear skies and relatively calm waters. The atmosphere on the beach was buzzing with excitement, with everyone more than grateful to have their wishes for good weather met. It was truly an incredible year for the event!

We saw dozens of familiar faces who have been loyal participants year after year and happily welcomed many new-comers to the Swim. “It is always a very powerful day as many participants are swimming in memory of loved ones. That, combined with the satisfaction of completing the swim and hearing the total raised for Hospice, made for a very uplifting morning” said Director of Development and event organizer, Kellie Hitchman.

The event could not happen without the generous support of the community. “Everyone worked hard to put on a great event. We rely heavily on our volunteers so it is especially touching when you see such a strong show of support from the community,” said Executive Director, Ruth Fishbeck. “Potsdam Recreation has graciously hosted the event each year at Postwood Park and Michelle Garrow has continued to help with beach organization and many other crucial aspects of the Swim.”

The safety of everyone involved was ensured by Hannawa Falls Fire Department, who patrolled the water with our team of power boats, kayakers, canoes and paddle boards. Potsdam Rescue Squad was also on stand-by on the beach in case of emergency; fortunately, no assistance was needed by any of the swimmers and every swimmer completed the course without a rescue.

Hospice was also able to offer prizes as incentives to the top three fundraisers which included two round trip tickets from Ogdensburg to Boston donated by Cape Air, a brand new 10‘ Tahoma Kayak, and an ALTEC Lansing Bluetooth & waterproof speaker. This year’s top fundraisers were Shauna Gall, Jan deWaters and Derrick Conway.

Everyone at Hospice is still in awe at the level of success at this year’s event. Hospice is deeply appreciative of the generous support from everyone involved. Safe to say we have set the bar pretty high for next summer!

The event was featured as a front-page spread in the Watertown Daily Times. Read the full article here: Swimmers Break Record Numbers in Hospice Fundraiser. Thank you to Chris Lenny for capturing numerous photos at the event and to W.T. Ekert for interviewing the event organizer and publishing our story.

Registration for the 2017 Swim A Mile for Hospice event is now open! This year’s event will take place on Saturday, August 5th at beautiful Postwood Park in Hannawa Falls.

This is a non-competitive, open water swim to raise money for Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley. Speed doesn’t matter. What is important is sharing a unique athletic experience on Hannawa Pond and supporting your community in the process! Participants have the option of swimming a full mile course or getting their feet wet with the 1/2-mile course.

This is not a race! Swimmers complete the course at his or her own pace and are grouped according to their ability level. Some may complete the mile in 20 minutes, while others may take as long as an hour. The minimum age to participate is 12 (1/2-mile) and the full mile course is available for swimmers age 14 and up. Pre-registration guarantees you a event T-shirt and our Bring A Buddy prize offers additional incentives as a way to get new swimmers involved.

There is a registration fee of $25. Swimmers are asked to raise at least $100 on their own for Hospice (youth swimmers age 12-17 are asked to raise at least $50). Donors can select a specific swimmer to sponsor using the search feature on the event website.

Not a swimmer? There are plenty of other ways to get involved in the event. Interested individuals can register online a volunteer or to be part of our boater safety crew.

or contact Kellie Hitchman at (315) 265-3105.

While matters involving the work of Hospice typically center around very serious life events, we are breaking away from the heavier aspect of the services we provide to host an evening of pure entertainment to support our patients and the community. On Friday, June 2nd, Hospice is presenting a Dueling Pianos show – the very first of its kind in the North Country. It promises to be an evening of great music, comedy and enjoyment for adults of all ages!

Cheel Campus Center will be ROCKIN’ when the musicians from Cutting Edge Dueling Pianos take the stage! This is not a concert, it is an all request show featuring anything the audience wants to hear. Whether its 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s or current, rap, country, or rock and roll. Anything you can imagine, they can perform. A dueling piano show is extremely interactive and highly entertaining. The audience is thoroughly involved and participates throughout the entire event. The crowd is sure to be laughing, clapping, singing, dancing, and loving every minute the performers are on stage. Be prepared with your list of special requests to make your mark on this great show! Click here for a sneak peak!!!

Tickets for this event are no longer available. Thanks to all who purchased tickets, we promise a night full of great entertainment!!!